Universal secure imaging workflow

ABSTRACT

Embodiments disclosed include systems and methods for computer automated print services control comprising authenticating a user credential input via a user device. The system and method includes generating, by a printer driver comprised in the user device, a user interface comprising features supported by a plurality of printing devices. Further, it includes receiving via the user device over the network, a print instruction comprising the features supported by the plurality of printing devices connected to the computer system over the network. And based on the print instruction, generating a print job in an embodiment. Further, based on the user authentication at one of the plurality of printing devices, converting via a gateway, the received print instruction into a format compatible with that printing device and releasing the generated print job for printing at that printing device, according to an embodiment.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

NA

BACKGROUND

Field

Universal Secure Imaging Workflow

In general, the challenge is to be able to detect the presence of andauthenticate a user by a print services control system to ensure secureprinting and user confidentiality. In the context of secure printing,this translates into releasing print jobs queued by the user when he orshe is near a secure printer. Print jobs are released by authenticatinga registered user at the secure printer, and releasing a previouslyissued print job by the user, queued and held by a print server, andreleased over a network upon user authentication.

Related Art

Previously, the above challenge was addressed in the work environment byplacing a badge reader (active element) in the context (say printer, inan embodiment), and the employee authenticating by showing his or herissued badge (passive element). Likewise, in the public space, anencoded token (say a boarding pass with a magnetic strip) would beissued to the user and scanned by a reader at the boarding gate inconjunction with other identity establishing mechanisms.

The issue with these mechanisms were: 1. The reader hardware had to beplaced in the context (one per printer or one per boarding gate, forexample), and the passive element would be with the user. This would addto the infrastructure cost. 2. The reader hardware had the intelligenceto read the user tag, authenticate the user/tag, and release theservice.

However, with the proliferation of mobile wireless devices, andespecially smart mobile devices, there is an opportunity to swap theactive and passive elements, thereby reducing infrastructure cost andconsolidating processing and service release at the server.

There now are available, several short range communication (SRC)protocols, which are supported by the major mobile operating systems.The mobile operating system, in general, monitors the communicationchannel, and then invokes the relevant app that can handle thecommunication. Near Field Communication (NFC) is one such widelysupported short range communication technology. The NFC tag is generallypassive, and contains the following: a tag ID that can be used touniquely identify the tag; an authentication token that can be used toauthenticate the tag itself; an application identifier in a formatunderstood and used by the mobile operating system to invoke therelevant application; and additional context information that can beread by the app itself.

Once the mobile device is in proximity of the NFC tag, the mobileoperating system (OS) invokes the relevant application and passes allthe other parameters above to it for further processing. From ausability perspective, the OS even prompts the user to download andinstall the relevant application to the user device, if not alreadypresent. The application presents the graphical user interface whichallows the user to provide his credentials. The application now hasthree raw pieces of information—the user credentials, the tag info, andthe additional context info, in addition to having established presenceof the user in the context due to the nature of the technology. Theapplication sends all of the information to the server, whichauthenticates the user and the tag. Once authenticated, it can use theadditional context information to deliver the service in the context.

SUMMARY

Embodiments disclosed include a computer automated print servicescontrol system comprising: a processor; a memory; a means forcommunicating over a wired or wireless network; instructions stored inthe memory and executed by the processor, which instructions cause thecomputer system to: authenticate a user credential input via a userdevice; generate, by a printer driver comprised in the user device, auser interface comprising features supported by a plurality of printingdevices; receive via the user device over the network, a printinstruction comprising the features supported by the plurality ofprinting devices connected to the computer system over the network;based on the print instruction, generate a print job; based on the userauthentication at one of the plurality of printing devices, convert viaa gateway, the received print instruction into a format compatible withthat printing device; and release the generated print job for printingat that printing device.

An embodiment further includes in a computer automated print servicescontrol system comprising a processor, memory, means for communicatingover a wired or wireless network, and instructions stored in the memoryand executed by the processor, a method comprising: generating, by aprinter driver comprised in a user device, a user interface comprisingfeatures supported by a plurality of printing devices; receiving via theuser device over the network, a print instruction comprising thefeatures supported by the plurality of printing devices connected to thecomputer system over the network; based on the print instruction,generating a print job; based on the user authentication at one of theplurality of printing devices, converting via a gateway, the receivedprint instruction into a format compatible with that printing device;and releasing the generated print job for printing at that printingdevice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a flow diagram according to aspects of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a flow diagram according to aspects of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows a mobile only work-flow diagram according to an alternateembodiment.

FIG. 4 shows a details process of flow diagram according to aspects ofthe invention.

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram according to aspects of the invention.

FIG. 6 shows a block diagram according to aspects of the invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates an additional embodiment wherein conversion to aprinter compatible format is performed by a mobile device or by anassociated cloud-based converter supporting the mobile deviceconversion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the invention. It will be apparent, however, to oneskilled in the art that the invention can be practiced without thesespecific details.

Reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment”means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic describedin connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodimentof the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” invarious places in the specification are not necessarily all referring tothe same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodimentsmutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features aredescribed which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others.Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirementsfor some embodiments, but not other embodiments.

All Devices especially printers and Multi-Function Printing (MFP)devices have capabilities that can be leveraged using custom commandsspecific to each manufacturer as against standard commands. Manyfeatures like Tray selection etc can be supported using standardcommands as well as custom commands. The practice has been to supportfeatures using custom commands. Very few capabilities are supportedusing standard commands. The usage of custom commands leads to usingOriginal Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) specific printer drivers. Thispractice leads to installing device drivers, leading to multiple driversin each desktop or computing device. The drivers have to be upgradedregularly to support any new features or/and Operating System (OS)upgrades in an environment where different OEM devices are in use.

Further, in today's workplace, Information Technology (IT) users accessvarious devices, especially printers and Multi-Function Printing (MFP)devices to obtain a tangible output. The current IT users in enterprise,medium and small businesses use standard operating procedures andworkflows to see their output. The workflow is optimized to deliveraccurate and fast results. As per current practice, the user sends aprint job to a device or devices associated with their desktop orcomputing device, using standardized trays for getting their output inthe format they want. Typically, the user prints to Tray 4 (say) if heneeds the output on (say) a company letterhead, and that letterheadpaper is contained in tray 4. On the other hand, say the user wants aprintout on bond paper, and the bond paper is contained in tray 2.Accordingly a print instruction for a print job is executed using paperfrom tray 2. Usually, the user has prior knowledge of the consumabletype available in trays thereby enabling him or her to get the outputusing the right consumable to meet the need

The user environment typically has different types of printers and MFPdevices from different suppliers. In the current scenario, the userneeds to have drivers of different models from different suppliers touse the devices effectively

FIG. 1 illustrates via a flow diagram, current practice in prior artsystems. In step 101 the user opens a file and selects the print option.In step 102, the user opens a print dialog box and selects a printerfrom a single or plurality of connected printers. This step is followedby step 103 wherein the user selects the relevant printer driveraccording to the selected printer, and in step 104 user printerproperties are selected and the created print job is sent to the server(step-104). The print job is held by the server till the user goes tothe relevant selected printer and swipes an access card at the selectedprinter, subsequent to which, the print job is released by the server tothe assigned printer. In step 106, the released print job is executed bythe selected printer.

FIG. 2 illustrates via a flow diagram the disclosed method according toan embodiment of the present invention. In the first step 201 the useropens a file and selects the print option. In the next step 202 useropens print dialog box and selects a secure printer driver application.In step 203 the user selects print properties i.e. tray and print job,which is then sent to the server. Step 204 involves swiping the useraccess card at any printer in the network. Upon authentication of theswiped access card, the print job is pulled from the server by theprinter at which the access card is swiped along with custom commands tothe gateway (step 205). The pulled print job is held in the gateway, andthe custom commands cause the held print job to be converted to a formatcompatible with the selected printer. Once converted, the print job isexecuted at the printer in step 206.

Embodiments disclosed include a computer automated print servicescontrol system comprising: a processor; a memory; a means forcommunicating over a wired or wireless network; instructions stored inthe memory and executed by the processor, which instructions cause thecomputer system to: authenticate a user credential input via a userdevice; generate, by a printer driver comprised in the user device, auser interface comprising features supported by a plurality of printingdevices; receive via the user device over the network, a printinstruction comprising the features supported by the plurality ofprinting devices connected to the computer system over the network;based on the print instruction, generate a print job; based on the userauthentication at one of the plurality of printing devices, convert viaa gateway, the received print instruction into a format compatible withthat printing device; and release the generated print job for printingat that printing device.

FIG. 3 illustrates via a flow diagram the disclosed method according toan alternate embodiment of the present invention. In the first step 301the user chooses a file for printing. In the next step 302 user opensprint dialog box and selects a secure printer driver application. Instep 303 the user selects print properties i.e. tray and print job,which is then sent to the server. Step 304 involves identification of auser mobile device at any printer in the network. The mobile device mayidentify itself via an NFC tap capability, a Bluetooth or low powerBluetooth functionality, an RFID capability, a bar code or a quickresponse code, an infrared communication capability, or any other shortrange communications technology already invented or yet to be invented.Upon authentication of the user mobile device and thus proof or presenceof the user, the print job is pulled from the server along with customcommands and sent to the authenticated mobile device (step 305).Finally, in step 306, the print job/s is/are converted to appropriateformat in the authenticated mobile device and sent to the printer whichauthenticated the said device.

FIG. 4 illustrates a system level diagram according to an embodiment.The system comprises a common driver user application 401 having meansto allow a user to select a print job and input a print command. Commondriver application enables authentication of print selection. The commondrive application further allows the user to select from a plurality ofprint options—for example, a double sided print job, a tray number, etc.The server, accessible via a network over the cloud comprises modules402, 403, and 404. Module 404 comprises means for storing the print jobin the server along with user identification. Further, module 404 allowsupgradable capability schema with custom commands for suppliers andprinter or/and MFP device model numbers, stored in the server.Additionally and preferably, the configured capability schema is basedon supplier model, Gateway IP address, and domain name. Module 402comprises a means for accepting/recognizing user access card swipe at agateway or printer, and authenticating access card details at theserver. Module 403 comprises a means for matching received access carddetails with stored user information and for authenticating a legitimateuser. Gateway 405 comprises means for receiving the print job stored inthe server for a particular user, and for receiving that particularuser's authentication confirmation. The gateway is configured to convertthe print job to a format compatible with the selected printing device.Printer 406, connected to the network via the gateway is where the useraccess card is swiped, and where the print job is finally executed.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment section view of the system. The systemcomprises a user device 501 which includes a common driver application.The device is connected and configured to communicate over a networkwith server 502, gateway 505, and via gateway 505, with printing device506. The communication is controlled by the server and the card reader503, wherein an access card swiped by the user is used verify the useridentity stored in the server, before releasing a print job associatedwith a user issued print command.

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the system. Print servicescontrol system 601 is configured to communicate over the network withcloud server 602 and with gateway 605. Further a print command for aprint job to be executed is issued by the control system 601, and storedin server 602. The job is released via gateway 605 after being convertedinto a format compatible with a printer selected from a plurality ofprint devices 606. The release of the print job is determined by anaccess card swipe at card reader 603, and authentication of the saidaccess card swipe at the server.

An embodiment includes in the system, converting the received printinstruction via the gateway and further mapping of the received printinstruction from the user device to invoke a manufacturer specificproprietary command based on the selected printing device, and whereinthe mapping comprises translating the received instruction to themanufacturer specific proprietary command. According to an embodiment,the said translating of the received instruction comprises convertingthe received instruction to a printer specific page descriptionlanguage. [PS, PCL3 (HP), PCL 5/6 etc].

Prior art systems face a serious drawback, in that only certain modelscan be assigned to certain users, because assigning all models ofprinting devices from all OEMs will consume substantial space on theuser device, and all models may not be easily accessible to all usersi.e. not close to the user. This forces the users to remember thedevices nearer to them and use them only.

Current security mechanisms using pin numbers, etc. are getting replacedby employee access cards, Biometrics and other forms such as Near FieldCommunication (NFC) which provide higher security i.e. tightly coupledto the user.

According to an embodiment the user authentication comprises, validatingthe input user credential at a printing device, wherein the validatingis invoked via a short range communication means comprising at least oneof an NFC tag, a blue tooth pairing functionality, an active or passiveRFID tag, an infrared means, a bar code, and a quick response code, eachof which is comprised in a printing device of the print services controlsystem.

Preferred embodiments include validating the input user credential at aprinting device, wherein the validating is invoked via an access cardassociated with the authenticated input user credential.

In an embodiment the system is further caused to recognize the user atthe printing device based on the authenticated user credential input viathe user device mapped to a user ID assigned to the user. The recognizeduser is authenticated at/by the printing device based on the assigneduser ID. Upon authentication, the generated print job stored on theserver, is queued at the selected/chosen printing device, and in turnreleased for delivery at the printing device. Preferred embodimentsinclude configurations that allow the user to queue a secure print jobto any of the printing devices connected to the computer system over thenetwork. According to one embodiment the print job is invoked via an NFCtag attached to a printer and a mobile device comprising NFCfunctionality, such that the mobile device is caused to read the NFC tagand authenticate itself to the computer system based on the input usercredential.

According to an additional embodiment the mobile device is configured toselect content and generate a print instruction comprising the featuressupported by the plurality of printing devices connected to the computersystem over the network. Based on the print instruction, a print job isgenerated. And based on the user authentication at one of the pluralityof printing devices, the gateway converts the selected content into aformat compatible with that selected printing device. However, accordingto an alternate embodiment, the mobile device further includes anassessment engine configured to determine the format of the selectedcontent, and to determine if the format can be converted to anotherdesired format compatible with the printers in the network. If it isdetermined that conversion is possible, a conversion engine comprised inthe mobile device, and configured to convert the selected content to theother desired format is caused to convert the said selected content. Andbased on user authentication at one of the plurality of printingdevices, the mobile device sends the converted content to the printingdevice for printing. Also included, according to another embodiment, isa network routing engine configured to route the content over thenetwork, to a cloud-based converter, if the determined format cannot beconverted to the desired format. The cloud-based converter converts thecontent to the desired format, and resends the converted format back tothe mobile device. Finally, upon user authentication of the mobiledevice at a selected printing device, the print job is released by themobile device, and printed by the printing device. FIG. 7 illustrates anadditional embodiment wherein conversion to a printer compatible formatis performed by a mobile device or by an associated cloud-basedconverter supporting the mobile device conversion.

An embodiment includes in a computer automated print services controlsystem comprising a processor, a memory, means for communicating over awired or wireless network, and instructions stored in the memory andexecuted by the processor, a method comprising generating, by a printerdriver comprised in a user device, a user interface comprising featuressupported by a plurality of printing devices. The method includesreceiving via the interface generated on the user device over thenetwork, a print instruction comprising the features supported by theplurality of printing devices connected to the computer system over thenetwork. Based on the print instruction, the method includes generatinga print job, and based on the user authentication at one of theplurality of printing devices, converting via a gateway, the receivedprint instruction into a format compatible with that printing device.And releasing the generated print job for printing at that printingdevice.

The user can collect the output from any device connected to the networkinstead of a specifically assigned device. The converting of thereceived print instruction via the gateway further comprises mapping ofthe received print instruction from the user device to invoke amanufacturer specific proprietary command based on the selected printingdevice, and wherein the mapping comprises translating the receivedinstruction to the manufacturer specific proprietary command. Thetranslating of the received instruction comprises converting thereceived instruction to a printer specific page description language.[PS, PCL3 (HP), PCL 5/6 etc]. The user authentication comprises,validating the input user credential at a printing device, wherein thevalidating is invoked via a short range communication means comprisingat least one of an NFC tag, a blue tooth pairing functionality, anactive or passive RFID tag, an infrared means, a bar code, and a quickresponse code, each of which is comprised in a printing device of theprint services control system.

Embodiments of the disclosed method further comprise recognizing theuser at the printing device based on the authenticated user credentialinput via the user device mapped to a user ID assigned to the user. Themethod includes authenticating the recognized user at the printingdevice based on the assigned user ID, queuing the generated print job atthe printing device, and releasing the queued context generated printjob for delivery at the printing device. Preferably, the method furthercomprises allowing the user to queue a secure print job to any of theprinting devices connected to the computer system over the network.

In an alternate embodiment, the method comprises invoking the print jobvia the NFC tag attached to a printer communicatively coupled to amobile device comprising NFC functionality, such that the mobile deviceis caused to read the NFC tag and authenticate itself to the computersystem based on the input user credential.

According to an additional embodiment, the method includes configuringthe mobile device for selecting content and for generating a printinstruction for the selected content. Of course, the print instructionis selected according to features supported by the plurality of printingdevices connected to the computer system over the network. Based on theprint instruction, a print job is generated. And based on the userauthentication at one of the plurality of printing devices, the gatewayconverts the selected content into a format compatible with thatselected printing device. However, according to an alternate embodiment,the method includes, determining via an assessment engine comprised inthe mobile device, the format of the selected content, and furtherdetermining if the format can be converted to another desired formatcompatible with the printers in the network. If it is determined thatconversion is possible, the method proceeds to convert via a conversionengine comprised in the mobile device, the said selected content to thesaid desired format. And based on user authentication at one of theplurality of printing devices, the method includes sending by the mobiledevice the converted content to the printing device for printing. Alsoincluded in the method, according to another embodiment, is a routingstep via a network routing engine configured to route the content overthe network, to a cloud-based converter, if the determined format cannotbe converted to the desired format. This is followed by a convertingstep by the cloud-based converter, which is configured to convert thecontent to the desired format, and to resend the converted format backto the mobile device. Finally, upon user authentication of the mobiledevice at a selected printing device, the print job is released by themobile device, and printed by the printing device.

Alternate embodiments include modifications and variations as would beapparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art. An exampleembodiment can be implemented for secure printing in a hospital, at acorporate organization, a bank, etc. For example, an issuer issues a jobto a server and then switches to a requester mode at any imaging deviceto authenticate himself or herself, and collect the desired output. Analternate mode includes a delegating mode, wherein the issuer issuerissues the job and delegates to a requester(s) for the requester(s) toauthenticate themselves to collect desired outputs. Applications canalso be varied. For example, systems and methods disclosed can be usedto book and receive tickets/passes to a movie or event, to create atravelers or cashier's check and redeem the created check at a terminal(such as an ATM machine), to create or apply for and redeem a coupon orvoucher, to redeem a received doctor's prescription, etc.

The networked printing or imaging device could have special stationeryin trays and depending on the request, the issuer can issue a job thatupon authentication by the requester, the desired job gets released. Forexample, the trays could be assigned or/and designated to only executespecific jobs. Say some trays are healthcare jobs trays—they can haveprescriptions, diagnosis results etc. in healthcare. Say other trays areentertainment trays—they can be configured to print tickets/passes fordifferent events or movies. And so on. Again the networked printingdevices need not be restricted to conventional 2D devices. There may be,in the network, a variety of imaging devices, medical, entertainment,banking devices, and 3D, 4D or/and other printing devices alreadyinvented or yet to be invented.

Embodiments disclosed eliminate the need to have multiple print driversfrom different OEMs. Users can use any device connected to the networkwith the secure print driver installed on the user device. All thecurrent drivers use custom commands making it difficult to replace thedriver with a single driver.

Embodiments disclosed allow for one common driver/applicationirrespective of which manufacturer or OEM equipment is used. Thisresults in a single driver or application as against multiple driversfor different models and different OEMs. Preferred embodiments leveragethe gateway to support different Page Description Languages and tosupport capabilities that use custom commands. Embodiments allow for thecurrent workflow to be preserved, thereby enabling seamless integrationinto the existing environment. Preferred embodiments enable usage of thedata model in the server to send custom commands based on supplier andmodel to the Gateway and append the commands to execute a print job at aselected print device, thus enabling virtualization of the outputdevice. Traditional workflows have a one-one correlation between the jobsubmission app/driver and the device manufacturer. With the proposedworkflow in the disclosed embodiments, secure imaging workflowsdisassociate the app/driver from the vendor/OEMs equipment and location,thus allowing for the user to swipe and collect their output from anydevice in the network instead of a specific device. Embodimentsdisclosed also eliminate the need for expensive hardware the printerterminals, as alternate embodiments utilize user mobile devices as theactive component in short range communications initiation. Embodimentsdisclosed also enable conversion of the pulled print jobs at the usermobile devices into the appropriate format instead of at the gateway,before being sent to the print terminal for printing.

Since various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention,and since various changes might be made in the embodiments above setforth, it is to be understood that all matter herein described or shownin the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative andnot to be considered in a limiting sense. Thus it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that although the preferred and alternateembodiments have been shown and described in accordance with the PatentStatutes, the invention is not limited thereto or thereby.

The figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation ofpossible implementations of systems and methods according to variousembodiments of the present invention. It should also be noted that, insome alternative implementations, the functions noted/illustrated mayoccur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocksshown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantiallyconcurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality involved.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

In general, the steps executed to implement the embodiments of theinvention, may be part of an automated or manual embodiment, andprogrammable to follow a sequence of desirable instructions.

The present invention and some of its advantages have been described indetail for some embodiments. It should be understood that although someexample embodiments of the Universal Secure Imaging Workflow system andmethod are described with reference to secure printing across variousdevices, especially printers and Multi-Function Printing (MFP) devices,the system and method disclosed is reconfigurable, and embodimentsinclude systems that may be dynamically adapted to be used in othercontexts as well. It should also be understood that various changes,substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.An embodiment of the invention may achieve multiple objectives, but notevery embodiment falling within the scope of the attached claims willachieve every objective. Moreover, the scope of the present applicationis not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of theprocess, machine, manufacture, and composition of matter, means, methodsand steps described in the specification. A person having ordinary skillin the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the presentinvention that processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter,means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developedare equivalent to, and fall within the scope of, what is claimed.Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within theirscope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter,means, methods, or steps

We claim:
 1. A computer automated print services control systemcomprising: a processor; a memory; a means for communicating over awired or wireless network; instructions stored in the memory andexecuted by the processor, which instructions cause the computer systemto: authenticate a user credential input via a user mobile device;receive via the user device over the network, a print instructioncompatible with a plurality of printing devices connected to thecomputer system over the network; based on the print instruction,generate a print job; based on the user authentication at a selected oneof the plurality of printing devices, convert via at least one of theuser device and a gateway, the received print instruction into a formatcompatible with the selected printing device; and release the generatedprint job for printing at the selected printing device.
 2. The computersystem of claim 1 wherein the user mobile device or gateway is furtherconfigured to: in converting the received print instruction into thecompatible format map the received print instruction from the usermobile device or gateway to manufacturer specific proprietary commandbased on the selected printing device; and translate the mapped,received instruction to the manufacturer specific proprietary command.3. The user mobile device or gateway of claim 2 wherein the saidtranslating of the received instruction comprises converting thereceived instruction to a printer specific page description language;and wherein the printer specific page description language comprises atleast one of PS, PCL3 (HP), PCL 5, and PCL
 6. 4. The computer system ofclaim 1 wherein the user authentication comprises, validating the inputuser credential via the user mobile device or the gateway, at theselected printing device, wherein the validating is invoked via a shortrange communication means comprising at least one of an NFC tag, a bluetooth pairing functionality, an active or passive RFID tag, an infraredmeans, a bar code, and a quick response code, each of which is comprisedin a printing device of the print services control system.
 5. Thecomputer system of claim 1 wherein the user authentication comprises,validating the input user credential via the user mobile device orgateway, at the selected printing device, wherein the validating isinvoked via an access card or associated with the authenticated inputuser credential from the user mobile device.
 6. The computer system ofclaim 4 wherein the system is further caused to: in authentication,authenticate the user mobile device based on the user ID; based on theauthentication, queue the generated print job at the selected printingdevice; release the queued generated print job at the printing device;and wherein the print job is generated via at least one of the usermobile device and the gateway.
 7. The computer system of claim 1 whereinthe system is configured to: queue a secure print job via the usermobile device or gateway to any of the printing devices connected to thecomputer system over the network.
 8. The computer system of claim 4wherein the print job is invoked via the NFC tag attached to a printerand the user mobile device comprising NFC functionality, such that theuser mobile device is caused to read the NFC tag and authenticate itselfto the computer system based on the input user credential.
 9. In acomputer automated print services control system comprising a processor,memory, means for communicating over a wired or wireless network, andinstructions stored in the memory and executed by the processor, amethod comprising: receiving via a user mobile device over the network,a print instruction compatible with a plurality of printing devicesconnected to the computer system over the network; based on the printinstruction, generating a print job; based on the user authentication ata selected one of the plurality of printing devices, converting via atleast one of the user mobile device and a gateway, the received printinstruction into a format compatible with the selected printing device;and releasing the generated print job at the selected printing device.10. The method of claim 9 wherein the said converting of the receivedprint instruction via the user mobile device or the gateway furthercomprises mapping of the received print instruction from the user mobiledevice or the gateway to a manufacturer specific proprietary commandbased on the selected printing device; and translating the mapped,received instruction to the manufacturer specific proprietary command.11. The method of claim 10 wherein the said translating of the receivedinstruction comprises converting the received instruction to a printerspecific page description language; and wherein the printer specificpage description language comprises at least one of PS, PCL 3 (HP), PCL5, and PCL
 6. 12. The method of claim 9 wherein the user authenticationcomprises, validating the input user credential via the user mobiledevice or the gateway, at the selected printing device, wherein thevalidating is invoked via a short range communication means comprisingat least one of an NFC tag, a blue tooth pairing functionality, anactive or passive RFID tag, an infrared means, a bar code, and a quickresponse code, each of which is comprised in the selected printingdevice of the print services control system.
 13. The method of claim 9further comprising: recognizing the user at the printing device based onthe authenticated user credential input via the user mobile devicemapped to a user ID assigned to the user; authenticating the recognizeduser at the printing device based on the assigned user ID; queuing thegenerated print job at the printing device; and releasing the queuedgenerated print job at the printing device; and wherein the print job isgenerated via at least one of the user mobile device and the gateway.14. The method of claim 9 further comprising queuing a secure print jobto any of the printing devices connected to the computer system over thenetwork.
 15. The method of claim 12 further comprising invoking theprint job via the NFC tag attached to a printer communicatively coupledto the user mobile device comprising NFC functionality, such that theuser mobile device is caused to read the NFC tag and authenticate itselfto the computer system based on the input user credential.
 16. In acomputer automated print services control system comprising a pluralityof printing devices connected over a network, a wireless communicationdevice comprising: a processor; a memory; a network communication means;instructions stored in the memory and executed by the processor, whichinstructions cause the wireless communication device to: select contentand generate a print instruction for the selected content; authenticatea user credential at one of the plurality of printing devices; based onan authenticated user credential, at least one of: convert via agateway, the received print instruction into a format compatible withthat printing device, and release the generated print job for printingat that printing device, and determine via an assessment engine, theformat of the selected content, and determine if the format can beconverted to another desired format compatible with the printing device;if it is determined that conversion to the desired format is possible,convert, via a conversion engine comprised in the mobile device, theselected content to the desired format, and release the converted formatfor printing at the printing device; if it is determined that conversionto the desired format is not possible, route the selected content via anetwork routing engine, to a cloud-based converter, and receive theconverted format via the network routing engine from the cloud basedconverter, and release the converted format for printing at the printingdevice.
 17. A computer automated print services control systemcomprising: a processor; a memory; a means for communicating over awired or wireless network; a wireless communication device; instructionsstored in the memory and executed by the processor, which instructionscause the computer system to, via the wireless communication device:selected a content item for printing; communicate over the network, aprint instruction to print the selected content item, wherein the printinstruction is compatible with a plurality of printing devices connectedto the print services control system over the network; based on theprint instruction, generate a print job; authenticate the wirelesscommunication device at a selected one of the plurality of printingdevices; based on the authenticated device, at least one of: convert theselected content item to a format compatible with the selected printingdevice; send the selected content via a gateway, and receive via thegateway, the selected content item converted to a format compatible withthe selected printing device; and release the generated print job at thesaid selected printing device.